Carmela was also cognizant of buzzing voices and soft footsteps padding around her. She knew she should try to open her eyes. But it all seemed too much. Too painful to even contemplate.

Carmela fought to open one eye. It fluttered mightily before she managed to get it to remain open and focus. The white chicken costume wasn’t a costume at all; it was a nurse’s uniform.

She decided to go for the other eye, too. Live a little, she prodded herself. That is, if I’m still alive.

Both eyes fluttered open, and she stared into the anxious faces of Tandy Bliss, Ava Grieux, Baby Fontaine and . . . Shamus? Oh my.

Carmela made a feeble effort to sit up, decided her head hurt too much. “I’m not dead?” she croaked. “This isn’t heaven?”

“Close to it,” said Ava kindly. “You’re still in New Orleans.”

“Mardi Gras?” rasped Carmela.

“The poor girl’s delusional,” sobbed Tandy.

“Quick, get her a sip of water,” Baby directed the nurse. “Her throat is bone dry. Listen to that poor rattly little voice.”

Ava clutched at Carmela’s hand. “You’re in the hospital, honey. You’re going to be okay. No broken bones, but you’re a little shook up.”

“Samantha?” Carmela croaked again.

“Who’s Samantha?” asked the nurse. “Was she the victim in the clown costume? The one they had to subdue?”

“Samantha’s her car,” murmured Ava. She smiled at Carmela, shook her head. “She didn’t make it. Samantha was totaled. I’m sorry, kiddo.”

Carmela sipped greedily at the water the nurse offered her. Then she licked her lips.

“Ruby?” she asked.

“Broken collarbone, broken arm, broken jaw,” said Tandy, happy to deliver such dreadful news. “They’ve got her all trussed up.”

“And in traction, too,” added Baby helpfully. Her blue eyes were bright with tears.

“Here?” asked Carmela. She had to know. She’d been dreaming about Ruby Dumaine for the last couple hours. Sick, drug-induced dreams that had made Ruby seem larger than life. Like some rampaging thing that couldn’t be stopped. Lying here, feeling completely helpless, Carmela didn’t even like the idea she might be in the same building as Ruby Dumaine.

“No. They moved Mrs. Dumaine to the state hospital early this morning,” said the nurse.

“Ladies,” said Shamus, finally speaking up. “Could you give the two of us a few minutes alone?”

There were knowing glances all around, then Ava, Baby, Tandy, and the nurse shuffled out into the hallway and pulled the door closed behind them.

Shamus moved around to the side of Carmela’s bed so he could be close to her. Carmela could smell his spicy aftershave. It smelled nice. Like their bathroom used to smell after he showered and shaved.

“I was so worried about you, darlin’.” Shamus bent down and kissed her cheek gently. In his navy cashmere sweater and khaki slacks he looked like a college kid.

“I was worried about me,” said Carmela. “Oh, no . . .” Once again she tried to struggle to a sitting position. “Poor Boo! She’s been stuck in my apartment for—” Carmela began.

“Shhh, Boo’s fine,” said Shamus, patting her shoulder. “She stayed with me last night. At Glory’s.”

Carmela winced. “Glory’ll make Boo sleep outside,” she whispered. “She hates dogs.”

“Honey . . . no.” Now Shamus’s fingers caressed the top of Carmela’s bandage-wrapped head. “Boo slept on the bed with me all last night. She’s fine, really. In fact, she’s having the time of her life chasing the vacuum cleaner around.”

“Is Ruby hurt real bad?” Carmela asked in a small voice.

“You banged her up pretty good,” said Shamus. Carmela could tell he was trying to put a lighthearted spin on things, but his face was tight with concern.

“I thought Jimmy Earl was killed because of a real estate deal,” said Carmela. “I thought Bufford Maple and Michael Theriot were involved.”

“They are involved in a real estate deal,” said Shamus, looking grim now. “Just not the one you were hell-bent on pursuing. Maple and Theriot are under investigation by the SEC for real estate fraud. Phony bonds and some mortgage flipping.”

“What’s mortgage flipping?” asked Carmela.

“It’s kind of like a real estate ponzi scheme,” explained Shamus. “You trade properties back and forth to avoid taxes and declare paper profits. Dace Wilcox has been investigating them for several months now.”

“Dace?” said Carmela weakly. “I thought he might be involved with Jimmy Earl, too.”

“He was, but as an investigator. Dace is a special agent for the IRS, although it’s not widely known. Just as well to keep it under wraps.”

Carmela settled back against her pillows. Boy, did I have a wrong number with Dace! Who knew he was working on the side of justice?

“What about Jack Dumaine? And Granger Rathbone?” asked Carmela.

“Apparently Jack hired Granger to try to figure out how much I knew. You see, I was the whistle-blower on the deal. Maple and Theriot also tried to tap Crescent City Bank for financing and, in reviewing some paperwork that came over from Clayton Crown Securities, a few things started to look hinky. Anyway, you kind of got pulled along for the ride.” Shamus ducked his head. “Sorry about that.”

“So Jack Dumaine was involved in this real estate fraud, too?” said Carmela.

“Yes, he was,” said Shamus. “But apparently not Jimmy Earl. Strangely enough, Jimmy Earl seems to have been the innocent one.”

“But Jack knew what Ruby did to Jimmy Earl? With the ketamine?” asked Carmela.

Shamus shook his head. “No. Jack was as shocked as we are. At least that’s what he claims.”

Carmela snuggled against her pillow, trying to digest all these layers of information. “Jack Dumaine and Rhonda Lee Clayton are having an affair,” she told Shamus. Her voice was still hoarse, almost husky sounding.

“You mentioned that the other night, remember?”

Carmela blinked. “I did?”

Shamus leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. The small part that wasn’t bandaged. “You look so helpless lying there,” he said, the words catching in his throat.

“I’ll be just as helpless when I get out of here,” said Carmela. “Poor Samantha . . . completely totaled.” She sighed. “I really loved that old car.”

“I know you did,” said Shamus slowly. “Think you can get used to driving something else?”

“I suppose I’ll have to,” said Carmela. “Eventually.”

“Why not right now,” said Shamus. His right hand dug into the pocket of his khaki slacks and Carmela heard a faint, metallic clink.

Suddenly, a set of car keys dangled before her eyes.

“What’s that?” Carmela asked warily.

“Keys to your new car,” said Shamus.

She peered at him. A shit-eating grin was spread across his handsome face. Oh no.

“You bought me a car,” she said. She was shocked. What does this mean? He loves me, he loves me not? Oh, I wish my poor head didn’t ache so much. If ever there was a time I needed to think straight, it’s right now.

“Don’t think about it so hard,” said Shamus, watching her closely.

Carmela sighed and closed her eyes. “Don’t try to read my mind,” she murmured, feeling slightly perturbed. She lay there for a moment until one eye peeked open, then the other. Now the slightest hint of curiosity danced in her blue eyes. “What exactly did you buy?”

“Mercedes.” The pride was evident in his voice. “Five hundred SL.”

Carmela was shocked. “No way!”

“I can see you in a Mercedes,” said Shamus. “Classy woman, classy car.”

“There’s no way I can accept this.” Carmela turned her head so she wouldn’t have to look at the keys that dangled from his fingers.

“Look, you’ve got a concussion,” Shamus told her. “You’re not thinking straight yet. So just . . . think about the car. Okay?” His face shone with kindness and concern.

Carmela stared at him. Damn, he looked good. Cute, eager to please. Just like the fella she married that fine day at Christ Church. “Okay,” she finally answered. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good.” His hand brushed her shoulder. “Better get some sleep now. I’ll stop by again later, okay?”

“Okay,” she said and closed her eyes again, half aware of a whispered exchange at the door.

More than anything, Carmela wanted to drift off to sleep, but someone was standing at her bedside, plucking at the sleeve of her stylish polka-dot hospital johnny. She lifted a lid tiredly. It was Ava. “What?” she asked her friend.

“You’re going to accept it, right?” said Ava expectantly.

Carmela shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Honey,” said Ava, dangling the keys in front of Carmela’s face. “The keys I have clutched in my hot little hand are for a Mercedes Five hundred SL. We’re talking three oh two horsepower with a V-eight engine. Sticker priced at over eighty-five grand. Like it or not, you just grabbed the brass ring!”

“It doesn’t seem right,” said Carmela stubbornly. “Especially since Shamus and I seem headed for divorce.”

“Now you’re headed for divorce,” said Ava. “Two days ago, you were sticking by him out of loyalty.”

“Shamus is a good man, and I love him dearly. But he’s having trouble with the commitment part,” sniffled Carmela.

“All men have trouble with the commitment part,” answered Ava. She pulled a half dozen tissues from the box near the bed, stuck them in Carmela’s hand.

Carmela held one up to her leaky eyes, sighed heavily.

“You know,” said Ava in an upbeat, conspiratorial tone, “there are lots of mechanical devices on the market today that can bring pleasure to a woman. But the best by far is a Mercedes-Benz!” She gently placed the car keys in Carmela’s hand.

Carmela closed her fingers around the shiny new keys. There was no denying it, a Mercedes-Benz was an awfully nice car. Beyond nice, actually. Bordering on splendiferous. She narrowed her eyes, gazed down at the keys. With the sun pouring in her hospital window, the keys looked like they were plated in twenty-four-karat gold. Like keys to a magical kingdom. The promise of something new and bright, like sunlight bouncing off Lake Pontchartrain.

She thought back to the tarot card reader at Baby’s party. Maybe these were the keys in her future. Could they be?

“You think I should accept?” said Carmela, trying to stifle a yawn. Damn, I’m feeling tired.

“I think it would be rude not to,” said Ava, doing a masterful job of maintaining a straight face.

Carmela’s fingers closed tightly around the keys as she smiled up at Ava. “You know what?” she said, “I think you may be right.”